Senior Space Systems Engineer

Viasat
$141,500.00 - $224,000.00
United States, California, Carlsbad
6155 El Camino Real (Show on map)
May 09, 2026
About us One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we're on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We're looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team. What you'll do You will serve as the senior technical authority for a space communications program delivering resilient, secure, antijam wideband capabilities for U.S. and allied tactical users. In this customerfacing role, you will lead endtoend systems engineering activities spanning space, ground, and network segments, while coordinating and delegating work across a multidisciplinary systems engineering team. You will guide architecture development, technical integration, and system execution across multiple subcontractors, ensuring mission objectives are translated into robust, verifiable system solutions. The day-to-day Lead definition of endtoend space system architectures Manage and control technical interfaces between space, ground and network segments Own systemlevel technical budgets including RF link performance, WaP-C (Size, Weight, Power and Cost), delta-v and data - including guidance of subcontractors to meet required metrics Drive system trade studies and integration strategies for new and custom capabilities Author, decompose, and control systemlevel requirements, specifications, and interface definitions across internal teams and external suppliers Ensure verification and validation strategies are defined, executed, and sold off Coordinate and oversee systems engineering tasking across the program team Serve as primary technical interface to customers and key stakeholders Manage technical preparation and presentation for major program lifecycle reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.) Identify, manage, and communicate technical risks, assumptions, and margin posture with Program team Mentor and develop systems engineering staff and help mature SE processes What you'll need Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field 10+ years of systems engineering experience on space programs Prior technical leadership or lead systems engineering experience Demonstrated experience integrating space, ground, and network system elements Strong background in requirements development, system architecture, and lifecycle execution Excellent technical communication and customerfacing skills US Citizenship with ability to obtain Secret Clearance Ability to travel up to 10% #LI-BBS What will help you on the job End-to-end program lifecycle experience Deep experience with space communications systems and subcontractor management Familiarity with Jama or database-based requirements management tools Experience delivering missioncritical, highreliability systems for Government customers Salary range $141,500.00 - $224,000.00 / annually. For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $176,000.00- $264,000.00/ annually At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat's comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits. EEO Statement Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.